I got an email from Jonathan with some suggestions for our spring camping trip. His thoughts were pretty ambitious.
Allagash
Indian Pond Stream or Churchill Dam to Allagash Village. Put in depends on wind forecast. Five or six nights. Lakes and moving water. Class II at Chase Rapids. Shuttle to/from put in to Allagash Village. Again last week in May – 8-hour drive from Woonsocket.
The Allagash Wilderness Waterway is Maine’s best known canoe trip and has attracted paddler’s for more than a century. Henry David Thoreau ventured into this region more than 150 years ago by traveling into the Allagash via the Mud Pond Carry from the West Penobscot watershed. One of the great appeals of the Allagash River is its combination of large, glimmering lakes with a swift moving river. Sourced by some of the largest lakes in Maine, including Chamberlain Lake, Eagle Lake, and Churchill Lake, the Alligash allows many options of multi-day canoe tripping throughout the 102-mile waterway.
Baskahegan Stream
Undiscovered gem in Northern Washington County. Newly established camp sites on Baskaheagan Stream and Lake. Three or four night trip. Short portage at Danforth (with resupply possible at a general store). Slow water and lakes but very pretty and remote. Self shuttle possible. Second or third week in May – 6-hour drive from Woonsocket.
Mostly a flat water trip, this remote soft adventure is available from May to mid-June and in the fall when the water level is sufficient. A great 1-4 day canoe trip with several put-in and takeout options. Beginning off route 6 near Topsfield, you’ll paddle 7.75 miles down a remote scenic stream and deadwater on your way to Baskahegan Lake. After crossing the lake, continue down the stream with some moving water, some flatwater and great wildlife viewing. Popular take out is in Bancroft above the confluence with the Mattawamkeag River.
Debsconeag Loop Paddling Trail
The Debsconeag Loop Paddling Trail is meant to be traveled in a clockwise direction, west from Spencer Cove across Ambajejus and Pemadumcook Lakes and then north across the watershed divide to the Debsconeag Lakes to return southeast on the West Branch of the Penobscot River. From Third Debsconeag Lake there is an optional side-trip to Fourth Debsconeag. This route contains several portages and two major falls along the West Branch of the Penobscot. Videos from Maine Tripper - Part 1 and Part 2.
Machias River
Just below 5th Machias Lake or at exit of 4th Machias Lake to Machias Town. Four or five nights. Several (maybe) optional and one compulsory portages. Mostly moving water. Shuttle from Machias Town. Second week in May (Beware – may overlap with Mother’s Day!) – 6-hour drive from Woonsocket.
With the feel of a northern river, this scenic and wild waterway is downeast whitewater canoeing and camping at its finest. The Machias River is less traveled than the Allagash, Penobscot, and Saint John Rivers, and easier to access. The headwaters offer a series of scenic lakes and marshes, while the river offers numerous class I-II rapids and several technical class III rapids that can be lined or portage.
St. John River
Baker Lake to Dickie (no desire to start at 5th St John Pond!). Six nights. Moving water all the way with a Class III on days 4 and 6. Usually have one day for a layover. Shuttle to/from Baker Lake. Last week in May – 8-hour drive from Woonsocket.
One of Maine’s finest remote canoe trips, the St. John River flows 128 miles from its headwaters at the St. John Ponds to the Allagash River just below the town of Dickey. The trip from Baker Lake to the Town of Dickey is 105 miles and can be done in six or seven days. The river has an even gradient and no portages. Later in the trip is the mile-long Big Black Rapids, and downstream from the Big Black Rapids and near trip’s end, is the Big Rapids, which are 2 miles long. Most groups put in at the outlet of Baker Lake. Best run mid-May to mid-June.
St. Croix River
Classic Down East trip - could be a three/four/five night trip depending on how much of the lakes are included. The core trip is 2 or 3 days from Vanceboro to Kellyland. Mostly moving water and class I with one class II+ (Little Falls). Plenty of campsites but in theory one is meant to stick to the US or Canadian side for camping. Bring your passport! C&C Canoe for the shuttle. Second or third week in May - 6-hour drive from Woonsocket.
The St. Croix River arises in the small town of Vanceboro from its sources in East Grand and Spednic Lakes, and continues to its outlet with the Atlantic Ocean in Calais. The river meanders through the beautiful forests of eastern Maine. Featuring over 25 distinct rapids, ranging from light rips to Class II+ such as Little Falls and Canoose Ledge and the aptly named Rocky Rips. Trips on the St. Croix River can rage from 2 to 8 days with the most popular being a 4 day trip from Vanceboro to Kellyland.
West Branch of the Penobscot River
Roll Dam to Chesuncook Village - could work as a 3 or 4 day trip. We probably would not be able to self shuttle - 7-hour drive from Woonsocket.
Best time to go is June through early September. Headwaters begin above Saboomook Lake. Below Saboomook there are 2 miles of class II-III rapids, which makes for an optional full day of whitewater canoeing. Below Roll Dam, the river flattens and widens out. It is 6.75 miles to where Lobster Lake enters on the right. A trip to scenic Lobster Lake (3 miles) can provide for a relaxing trip with its sandy beaches and beautiful setting. From the confluence of Lobster Stream and the Penobscot, the river flows easily for 15 miles to Chesuncook Lake. Chesuncook is a 19 mile paddle offering views of Katahdin to the east and a stop at remote Chesuncook Village to check out the local history and visit ‘The Store’.
East Branch of the Penobscot River
Below the Grand Lake Matagamon dam is the scenic and rugged East Branch of the Penobscot River with whitewater rapids and views of the Traveler Mountains to the west in Baxter State Park. It is a 27-mile trip from the Matagamon Wilderness Campground to Whetstone Falls with several mandatory portages around scenic waterfalls including Haskell Rock Pitch, Pond Pitch, Grand Pitch and Hauling Machine Pitch.
Conrad suggested some trips that are closer and a little less ambitious:
I decided that I wanted to do all of them, but we seem to be leaning toward the Allagash in May.
